Naomi Wood's London Cultural Diary

Naomi Wood, author of Mrs. Hemingway, has taken literary London by storm. She tells us what to do in London this spring.

Novelist Naomi Wood has garnered rave reviews for her second book, Mrs Hemingway , a look at the writer’s life from the perspective of his four very different wives. Below, the 31-year-old graduate of Cambridge and the University of East Anglia’s creative writing course shares her cultural highlights for spring.

Visual arts:  Hockney, Printmaker, Dulwich Picture Gallery, until 11 May 14

I saw some of David Hockney’s paintings in Washington DC when I lived in the States and also recently watched a documentary about him – he seems like such a nice, gentle man. I’m not a huge fine art buff but his work seems very interesting and accessible – the kind of stuff that offers pure sensory pleasure and lights up your synapses.

TV: Looking, Sky Atlantic

My flatmate and I are very excited about this – it’s been billed as the gay Girls and it doesn’t disappoint, perhaps because they’re flipping the stereotypes. Girls is quite brutal, with all that bruising sexuality – this is much more tender and romantic. 

Book: Lost for Words , Edward St Aubyn - published May 14

This is apparently a satire about literary prizes – I expect it to be funny, acerbic and dark and have a few choice things to say about that world…

Film: Only Lovers Left Alive and Nymphomaniac , both on general release

I’m looking forward to both of these. I loved the Lars von Trier Melancholia ; it was incredibly moving and offered an interesting angle on depression and its all-encompassing planetary power – how it can feel apocalyptic. Lesser directors would have made two separate films with that material but he has the vision and the aplomb to pull it off. 

Only Lovers Left Alive has got Tilda Swinton, of course, and her face alone is worth a tenner of anyone’s money. 

Exhibition: Comics Unmasked, British Library, 2 May 14 – 19 August 14

My friend Nick Hayes (graphic novelist and illustrator) is going to take me to this. He’ll make a very good exhibition guide.